About the census

The census is a count of everyone residing in the United States: in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. This includes people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, both citizens and non-citizens.

Required by U.S. Constitution

The U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section II) requires a national census once every 10 years. The results of the census determine how many seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. Census counts also are used to draw boundaries of legislative districts and local voting districts, including noting precincts.

Uses of census data

Census data directly affect how more than $400 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more. Businesses rely on census data to make decisions about where to locate businesses, products and services to offer, and how to attract customers.